Latest hair-brained plan

[Species8472]

With the Ontario moose tag allocation being what it is I figure I am going to have get creative to secure a bull tag. Looking at the WMUs the obvious places to get a tag are also the most remote (makes sense). This basically cuts it down to 1A, 1C, or 1D. 1C actually has a small bit of road access via the Windigo Road heading NW out of Pickle Lake. Other options would be to use the fly-in services of an outfitter to an outpost lake somewhere in one of the units.

Being a bit of a stubborn knucklehead I think that drive or fly-in is probably too easy and if this is going to be done it needs to be epic. First part of making this epic is to convince the wife. Up until now I have managed 4 or 5 day off the grid trips without too much issue from her. Being old school i don't have a Spot or Inreach and so far she has been okay with this. This will be different so I told her to get me a Garmin Inreach Explorer+ as i expect this to be a 14-18 day trip (She said okay but make sure to bump up my life insurance before I go!). Not really a big a deal as I have done 1000s of miles like this in my checkered past (did both the Severn and Albany from source to mouth). That was a few decades back but hey who's counting.

As a concession to my age (50 something and because it's way too much work otherwise) I intend to use my 12'8" Zodiac with a 15HP Yammy on it - this is sort of blasphemous as up until now I have only used the canoe or kayak for hunting on a trip like this. The Zodiac has 6 chambers and is virtually unsinkable and it is easy to repair in the event something does go wrong. It also has a 1600 lb payload - enough for me, moose and gear. So doing some research on line I think my best bet is to put in on the Kabinakagami about 25 or 30 miles north of Calstock. Based on trip reports i am pretty sure I can get the Zodiac in and than also pretty sure I can run every rapid between there and the Albany. Once at the Albany (100 river miles or so from the put in) the north side of the river is 1D - the promised land!

Tentative plan is apply for a tag (anticipate failure). Shoot up there this summer and try the Zodiac on the river. Apply again next time around once I am pool 1. Based on group sizes I should get a tag within 1 or 2 seasons. Than head up for the rut in 2020 or 2021 and pull off an epic.

Oh the things my mind gets up to once my deer tags are filled.

[SK33T3R]

Joe
I have no doubt that if you plan it - it will be epic!

[Deer Hunter]

Hopefully there's Moose left on that river system?....The fishing should still be great?...Good Luck.

[Muskyhunter]

Sounds like a really neat trip. Hope you get a tag.

[KennyT]

Just a thought, but you should film it too. Or take a camera person. It does sound pretty amazing. I like your optimism about the rapids

[parkcity]

solo ? thats a bold move. although i don't have any experience i've spoken to many people who have plenty as i've looked into doing a moose trip but definitely not that intense. It'll take at least a day or two to break down and pack a moose solo, and it better be within a click or two of the river. Also you should think about weather. if you're that far up river and knock down a moose and it's 15 degrees out, you'll be in a lot of trouble meat keeping wise. just some things to consider.

[werner.reiche]

Not for me - but I admire the plan. I'd be a bit hesitant about the 'solo' though.

[oaknut]

Sounds like a great plan! Others are hesitant on the solo idea but I think that's what would make it that much greater!

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[bellerivercrossbowhunter]

Sounds awesome!

If you need a camera man let me know. I'll work for moose steaks!

[Snowwalker]

Sounds awesome!

If you need a camera man let me know. I'll work for moose steaks!

How do you feel about mud, peat bogs, rock steps and laying in a foot of mud fixing stuff.

Still looking for cameramen for my overland trips.